Hozier says he doesn’t care about chart success or being a popstar as he prepares to release second album Wasteland, Baby!

WHEN Hozier scored a huge global hit with Take Me To Church, no one was more ­surprised than the Irish singer-songwriter.

“It was amazing,” he says. “I didn’t think it would be a mainstream pop record.”

Edward Cooke

Hozier says he was surprised by the success of hit single Take Me To Church[/caption]

Reaching No1 in 12 countries, the 2013 anthem was a tirade against organised religion and had a powerful video portraying ­homophobic abuse in Russia.

Along with his self-titled debut album, it got the singer noticed.

Hozier — whose real name is Andrew Hozier-Byrne — says: “It was a trial by fire. I was learning by doing it and it was a very steep incline. This time around, I’m more relaxed.”

The musician, who I meet in a West London hotel, is about to release second album Wasteland, Baby! and is intent on enjoying all aspects of the ­experience.

Hozier is intent on enjoying the release of his second album Wasteland, Baby!

“Even the early mornings,” he laughs, referring to his 4.30am alarm-call today to appear on Chris Evans’ breakfast show on Virgin Radio.

Hozier, 28, is reflective about his second album, which arrives five years after his first.

He says: “You experience ­success retrospectively. When Take Me To Church took off, it was so all-consuming that I wasn’t really thinking about what was happening. Now it’s not as new to me and I’m enjoying it.”

Despite success, Hozier says it was important that he made the music he wanted to, rather than simply chasing sales.

Alex Lake

Hozier says he’s not interested in chasing sales[/caption]

“I don’t make music for the sake of it being a chart success,” he says. “For this album, I made sure I was writing music that moved and gelled with me.”

A politically engaged artist, last year he marched for the Repeal The Eighth campaign to relax ­Ireland’s strict anti-abortion laws — which ultimately won by a landslide.

“I was so proud of the outcome,” he says. “I have huge respect for people who were central to that fight. I’m ­particularly proud of older people who voted to repeal regardless of their faith.

“I think the church has lost a huge amount of influence, especially in the way they have treated women’s health and how women were treated over unplanned pregnancies. It’s shocking.”

Wasteland, Baby! is similarly inspired by current times. Hozier says the record is bleak in parts because it engages in what is going on in the world.

He adds: “I try to speak out about things if I can give a signal-boost to something I feel strongly about.

“Some songs on this record are ‘doom and gloom’ but it was important to me. I hope it comes across as hopeful but coming from a place of despair.

“Some of the songs refer to a cultural or moral wasteland but there’s also a tongue-in-cheek air.

Edward Cooke

Hozier admits he’s still surprised he became a singer[/caption]

“We need to look out for the next generation on things like climate change, as they’ll be left with this f**king planet and it’s not a great planet to be left in.

“Sixty per cent of all animal life has disappeared (since 1970).

“It’s really scary. Changes need to be fought from the bottom up and I like to help through music.”

He describes the song No Plan as “about the end of the ­universe” — and the album’s title track is equally dark.

Getty – Contributor

Hozier has become more confident in the studio and on stage[/caption]
Hozier in the studio recording his new album

Rousing opener Nina Cried Power — featuring ­the legendary gospel singer Mavis Staples and MGs frontman Booker T Jones — represents the album at its most hopeful. Former US President Barack Obama included it in a list of his favourite tracks of 2018.

Hozier says: “It’s funny to end up on the radar of somebody like Obama. I was amazed.”